Why Standardised SOPs Are Essential

Ensuring consistency, reliability, and reproducibility in research is critical for advancing our understanding of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). To achieve this, the TRICIA consortium has developed a set of standardised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sample collection, processing, and data management. These SOPs provide a structured framework that ensures uniformity across multiple research sites, facilitating high-quality data generation and enabling meaningful comparisons between studies.

By adhering to these standardised protocols, we enhance the integrity of our research, improve the reliability of our findings, and ensure that samples and data collected are suitable for future collaborative studies. This approach supports our overarching goal of defining a ‘precision pathology’ strategy in childhood arthritis and contributes to the development of effective treatment stratification.

Available SOPs:

We have developed and standardised the following SOPs to guide our research processes:

• Blood Sample Collection and Processing:

  • Blood for genomic DNA (gDNA) and whole blood analysis

  • Blood for serum preparation

• Data Management:

  • Data capture SOP ensuring standardised and accurate data entry

• Tissue and Cell Culture Processing:

  • Fibroblast culture SOP

  • Formalin-fixed tissue preparation

  • Gut biopsy tissue handling

  • Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) isolation

  • Synovial Fluid Mononuclear Cells (SFMCs) and Synovial Fluid Supernatant (SFS) preparation

• Stool and Urine Sample Collection:

  • Stool sample collection and processing

  • Urine sample collection and processing

• Synovial Tissue Handling:

  • Synovial biopsy tissue preparation

  • Tissue for enzymatic digestion

  • Tissue preparation pre- and post-cell sorting

In addition to these SOPs, we have compiled a comprehensive laboratory manual that provides further technical details and procedural guidance for handling and processing samples.

Accessing Our SOPs

To maintain the integrity of our research and ensure proper implementation, our SOPs are not available for direct download. However, if you require further information or wish to discuss access, please contact us directly.

For enquiries, please visit our Contact Us page or email the Project Manager at l.fuller.1@bham.ac.uk.